Modeled after the Flickr Bench Monday project, these photos will be uploaded on Mondays.  They were created on Open House Sunday.  Enjoy them.  Click here to view the Flickr Bench Monday project  Many thanks to all the families, students, and parents who took the risk to participate in this global project.

Photo gallery: 

Kibbutz Hatzor as a civics lesson

In order to allow the community to comment on blog posts, my Fulbright endeavors, reflections, and journal entries will be hosted here:

http://fulbrightisrael.blogspot.com/

See you all in April.

Yesterday, I received this letter from Senator Jeff Merkley.  I've never received a personal letter from a US Senator before.  Talk about setting the bar high!  The Senator's  office sent the letter to the wrong side of the Willamette to a zip code I've never lived in.  The envelope arrived in pristine condition.  That meant an efficient US Postal Worker, during the Holiday rush, took the time to route the letter back across the river to the correct zip code.  He (or she) looked up either my name or the street to accomplish this task.  Not only is Sen

 Drove the 7th graders to listen to Greg Mortenson, author of 3 Cups of Tea.  Greg is an unbelievably humble speaker who was in his element in Portland.  Not a hostile member in the audience.  He spoke of many happenings in his life, in Afghanistan, and Pakistan, but two of his points were "aha" moments for me.  He talked of empowering students to change their world.  This is exactly what RICE does.  It empowers students.  The parent of a group leader told me about a Catlin Gable parking lot exchange today.

Spent the morning at McKay Elementary School in Beaverton.  It seemed weird to see say, "See you in May," as I left.  Walking out the door, I thought to myself, "Oh, my, the adventure is beginning.  I need to blog this tonight."  So here I am....Many things wrapping up.  RICE project concluding next week.  Food Festival next Friday.  Things are really moving fast.  The kids at McKay are willing to participate in an connection project.  They just love our kids reading and playing with them.  We also completed two &quo

Had dinner with Jeff and Adrienne over Thanksgiving.  Jeff asked if I blogged regularly.  Adrienne suggested there would be a parent audience hungry to read my posts.  It was humbling to think I already had an audience, but hadn't written much.  Jeff said he blogged twice a week.  He also said his blog was heavily edited so as not to offend any current or potential clients.  Since I have no clients......and no editors, if anything I write offends anybody, I apologize in advance.  Feel free to let me know how hurt you are in a comment.  I promise

OK....I note that life got a bit crazy and posting became erratic.  Fess up, Paul, posting became non-existent!  At my mentor, Jay Hurvittz's suggestion, this blog will not only serve as a journal of my thoughts and observations, but also as a place to reflect upon what I learned and plan.  So, let's meet Jay!  Jay grew up in Baldwin Hills, CA.  He currently lives on a Kibbutz about an hour south of Tel Aviv.  He is unbelievably wired.  I get e-mail replies within minutes of sending messages, no matter what time it is in Israel!  He is currently worki

Flew cross country yesterday.  Was grateful to the passenger in front who decided to leave his seat upright.  After waiting for two hours at Dulles for the Singapore/South Africa teachers to clear customs (these are teachers, folks!), we chatted the entire ride into DC.  Driver only slammed on his breaks once.  Welcome to America!  Got settlled in hotel, joined other Fulbrighters for dinner.  One of the Singapore teachers, a HS history gentleman asked if he could accompany me on a walk.  We strolled up Pennsylvania Avenue past the IMF and World Bank to the

My intent is to use this blog to communicate about the Fulbright Distinguised Award in Teaching.  In January, 2010, I will be traveling to Israel as a Fulbrighter to work on creating "virtual" exchanges between schools.  Right now, I am still in the paperwork process.  Beginning August 17, I will be in Washington DC to discuss the Fulbright award in great detail.  Stay tuned.